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Don’t Let These 10 Farming Mistakes Derail Your Success

As someone who has been in your shoes, I know firsthand the excitement and challenges of starting a farm. I’ve made plenty of mistakes—some quite expensive—so I want to help you avoid them. Here are ten common mistakes new (and experienced) farmers make and how to avoid them.

Lack of a Detailed Business Plan

When I first started, I didn’t have a solid plan, and it led to a lot of confusion and financial stress. Having a comprehensive business plan can really set you on the right path.

• Develop a comprehensive business plan before starting.
• Include goals, market research, financial projections, and a marketing strategy.
• This one-page plan from Farm Credit is a great place to start. It helped me get my ideas on paper and think about what’s really important. Remember, a plan can change, and that’s okay.
• If you’re planning to finance anything, the bank will need this.

Underestimating Costs

I learned the hard way that farming can be more expensive than it seems. Accurate budgeting can save you from unexpected financial strain.

• Create a detailed budget for all startup and ongoing expenses.
• Include costs for land, equipment, seeds, livestock, labor, and maintenance.
• I recommend doubling your estimated costs to account for the unexpected. Trust me on this one.
• Spreadsheets are your friend!  Google Sheets is FREE!

Choosing the Wrong Location

Choosing the right location is crucial. I’ve seen folks struggle because they didn’t consider soil quality or climate.

• Research soil quality, climate, and water availability of potential locations.
• Check zoning laws to ensure you can have livestock if desired.
• Conduct soil tests and research the weather history.
• Talk to locals to get a feel for the area.   They can be a wealth of information.
• Join the town’s Facebook Group to see all the gossip.  I’m not a fan of social media, but this is using it to your advantage.

Overexpanding Too Quickly

I’ve been guilty of this. Starting small allows you to gain experience without overwhelming yourself.

• Start small and gradually scale up as you gain experience.
• Focus on mastering a few crops or livestock before diversifying.
• Expanding too quickly can turn your excitement into regret, so monitor your capacity closely.
• Beware Spring.  After winter downtime, this is when I’m ready to tackle the world, and paying for it come July.  

Neglecting Marketing and Sales

Marketing wasn’t my strong suit at first. As farmers, we love to farm, but marketing is crucial for success.

• Develop a marketing plan that includes online and offline strategies.
• Utilize social media, local markets, and farm stands.
• Build relationships with local businesses, restaurants, and CSA programs.
• Check out resources (Podcasts and Youtube) like Amy Porterfield and Alex Hormozi; they’re not farming-specific, but their marketing advice is GOLD!

Ignoring Soil Health

Healthy soil is the backbone of a successful farm. Neglecting it can lead to poor crop yields, poor livestock weights, and long-term damage.

• Implement sustainable practices to maintain soil health.
• Use crop rotation, cover cropping, and organic amendments.
• Regularly test soil and adjust practices based on results.
• Pastured broilers or turkeys are great for natural fertilization.
• Pigs, layers, and cattle are amazing too, but can be destructive if left in once place too long.  

Not Keeping Accurate Records

Keeping detailed records was a game-changer for me. It helps you track progress and make informed decisions.

• Maintain detailed records of all activities, expenses, and income.
• You can use farm management software or apps for easy tracking, but i prefer a good ole spreadsheet (again, Google Sheets is Free).
• Regularly review records to make informed decisions and adjustments. It’s crucial for understanding your profit and loss.

Poor Time Management

Time management is key. I’ve had to learn to prioritize tasks and avoid distractions.

• Create a detailed schedule and prioritize tasks.
• Use time management tools like to-do lists and calendars (Google Calander and Google Keep, both FREE!).
• Avoid bad habits like excessive social media or TV. Sometimes sacrifices are necessary.
• Delegate tasks when possible to manage your workload effectively.

Inadequate Training and Education

Continuous learning has saved me from many costly mistakes. Investing in your education can pay off big time.

• Invest in your education through courses, workshops, and online resources.
  • Courses get a bad name (and some do suck), but you can check out a channel and other material from the seller before purchasing.  If there is no material, don’t buy it.  You can get so much value for so little money.  Even if you buy 4 courses, and 2 suck, the 2 that were great pay for the bad ones and likely $1000s in mistakes you WON’T make because you took the course. 
• Join local farming organizations and attend conferences.
• Seek mentorship from experienced farmers. Their advice is invaluable, but remember their time is valuable too.
  • Helps to provide them with some kind of value for their time.

Failure to Build a Support Network

A strong support network can provide valuable resources and advice. Building connections with other farmers and organizations is crucial.

• Connect with other farmers, agricultural extension services, and local farming organizations.
• Participate in farming forums and social media groups.
• Collaborate with neighbors and community members for support and resource sharing. A good network can lead to great opportunities and help when you need it most.

I hope you find these tips helpful. I’ll have a YouTube video coming out shortly covering five of these mistakes in more detail, but you get the full list for being part of this newsletter. Let me know which 5 you think are most important (i’ll use this feedback for the video).  Also leave a comment or question, and I’ll do my best to answer. Happy farming, and catch you in the next one!

With My Appreciation,

Jason

Aka: The Part-Time Famer